Trending Travel News
ASTA Calls for CDC to Exempt Vaccinated Travelers
In a recent letter to the U.S. CDC Director, ASTA President, Zane Kerby, called for the CDC to develop “clear and easily understood guidance,” for travel during the Pandemic. The letter outlined three major goals they feel the agency should implement to safely reopen the travel industry.
The first called for the agency to publish a framework to determine phases of safe reopening of travel to allow travel advisors, suppliers and consumers to make informed decisions regarding travel arrangements.
The second was for the CDC to allow vaccinated travelers to be exempt from travel restrictions including testing. ASTA’s argument is that individuals that are vaccinated receive vaccination cards that should be allowed to be used by travel advisors to exempt travelers from restrictions.
The final urged the CDC to incorporate vaccination passports, including IATA’s Travel Pass.
“Those who are vaccinated or have sufficient levels of antibodies to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 should be permitted to resume normal travel activities.”
– Zane Kerby, ASTA President
Big Fines for Violating Face Mask Rules
Following President Biden’s Executive Order on Promoting COVID-19 Safety in Domestic and International Travel, the Transportation Security Administration has begun to implement the face mask requirement outlined in the order as of February 2nd. TSA says they will “fully comply” with the order and will require all passengers over the age of two years and all crew traveling through the airport to wear a face mask at all times. The agency will recommend a fine of $250 for a first violation of the mandate and up to $1,500 for second offenses.
Coronavirus-Fighting Robot Gets a Name
The Key West International Airport recently held a contest to name their nearly six-foot-tall, autonomous, coronavirus-fighting airport. The aptly named “R2Key2” robot, which debuted in December, was the first to show up at a U.S. Airport. “R2Key2,” emits a high-intensity UV-C wavelength light to remove 99.9% of harmful airborne surface pathogens including the novel coronavirus. The robot has the ability to disinfect the entire interior space of the airport in two and half hours.
Airline Updates
New DOT Forms Required for Travel with Service Animals
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Delta to Continue to Block Center Seats
The Atlanta-based airline giant will continue to be the only major U.S. Airline to continue blocking center seats, at least through April 2021.
The Future of Air Travel is Vertical
United Airlines has joined investors in a new start-up that is developing electric vertical takeoff and landing aircrafts.
American Airlines Will Allow for Face Mask Exemptions
The airline will allow travelers with doctor’s notes and negative Covid tests to remove masks while onboard.
SComplete Guide to Airline Change/Cancellation Policies
A year of pandemic-related travel changes and cancellations has left a lot of travelers unsure of airline policies on rebooking or refunding.
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